UT research shows high school cliques can't tell you who to be friends with

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Nerds, jocks and other common cliques found in American high schools have less influence on who students make friends with than you might expect, according to a national study.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University and the University of Memphis used survey data and academic transcripts from 3,000 students at 78 high schools across the United States and found that a student's choice of electives matters most in making friends.

The study showed that smaller elective classes produced more friendships than larger classes that are required of all students in the same grade.

The research showed that not only do students in the same set of courses focus less on social status, or another person's "coolness," they are also less likely to judge another person on their race or gender.

The study also asserts that in schools where low and high achievers don't mix, these groups tend to grow apart socially and academically.

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But what about the commonly held notion that if you play football, there is a good chance you will find yourself partying with football players? Does the same go for mathletes, school band members, agriculture students, and thespians?

"Sure, these sorts of subcultures can be important. But many of the activities of that type show up on a transcript as an elective, and so these are just the types of courses that set some students off from others in their school," says Kenneth Frank from Michigan State University's College of Education.

Extracurricular activities can be important tools for kids to grow socially, but participation doesn't necessarily equal friends.

"Many kids do not participate in extracurricular activities, and even those that do may participate only a portion of the school year," says Frank.

This is where academic courses that apply to every student come into play.

"Courses represent academic content but they also represent potent, but often overlooked, opportunities for friendships to form," Frank adds.

Joining Frank in conducting the study is Anna S. Mueller from the University of Memphis, and Chandra Muller of the University of Texas at Austin.